Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP)

About the Program

Fourth-year medical students from U.S. schools may choose to take an away rotation at UC San Diego School of Medicine, especially if they are interested in learning more about our UC San Diego Radiation Medicine Residency program. The Visiting Elective Program provides support for fourth-year students who who have demonstrated an interest in equity, inclusion, and diversity and/or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship program provides up to $2,000 and is designed to:

• Expose fourth year medical students who are interested in working with underserved populations to an academic training program.
• Promote student interest in applying to an academic residency training program.
• Provide faculty and resident mentorship during the clinical elective experience.

Eligibility

Eligible participants are full-time, fourth-year medical students in good standing at accredited U.S. medical schools. Students remain registered at their own schools while participating in the four-week elective at UC San Diego. Students must have applied and be accepted to the desired UC San Diego Department of Radiation Medicine's clinical elective program through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) before the scholarship is processed, and eligible students need to participate in a Department of Radiation Medicine clerkship.

Application

• Step 1: Complete the American Association of Medical College's Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) Online Application
• Step 2: Complete the Department of Radiation Medicine & Applied Sciences VESP application (PDF) 
• Step 3: Send your VESP application, along with your current transcript with your grades, to: romdresidency@health.ucsd.edu.

Applications will be reviewed once all required documents are received.

More information is available on the Visiting Fourth-Year Students page. 

Selection

Scholarships (up to $2,000 each*, to be used toward visiting student elective fees, transportation costs and lodging) will be awarded for the 4-week elective on the basis of:

• Interest in pursuing a career in academic medicine
• Interest in working with underserved populations
• Leadership
• Community service
• Academic achievement as indicated by transcripts and letter of recommendation

*Funds are awarded upon completion of the elective. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.

Deadline

The scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis between July - December.

For further information, please contact:
Dominique Rash, M.D.
drash@health.ucsd.edu or romdresidency@health.ucsd.edu.